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Sunday, 5 July 2015

Those borders are on

My red version of Civil War Bride top is finished.

And I'm missing the needle turn applique so much already. I'm sure that sounds crazy to some but any applique-addicts will know what I mean. There is that withdrawal stage when it is done. It was nice to clear away the prep though - boxes of red fabrics and small mountain of almost shredded scraps!

Most of the blocks are straight from the Threadbear pattern by Corliss Searcey, but three blocks and the border I drafted myself using elements from the blocks. To quote Corliss from the pattern notes, she says "feel free to alter or substitute shapes from block to block, making this quilt unique to you" - so I had a bit of fun doing just that.

Middle of top border

Middle of bottom border

It is now having time out in the hand quilting queue .

Speaking of which ... hand quilting Ann Randoll is going well. It is a large quilt but I'm managing fine by working around the outer borders first, leaving the centre for last. Here it is stretched out for some progress pics with one edge done. I might not be able to resist adding some fill in the open areas but they are not large so maybe not needed....

There is a great variety of fabrics as well as techniques in this medallion quilt - which can have its pluses and a minuses. A plus is it is not boring to quilt, and a minus is that each little border needs thought and a different approach to the quilting.

Outlining the applique shapes on the cream background is easy going and I have used a cream thread to match the background. I decided to outline the outer edge of each clamshell to make them pop out a little, and using a tan thread as I like the look better than cream on the darker browns/blues.

The Half Square Triangle (or pinwheel) border had me thinking. The HSTs have edges that are about 1 1/4 inch so there is a lot of seam tucked under there that I really do not want to quilt over. I decided to quilt inside the seams to form a square of four HST groups, and using a tan thread again.

Perhaps the complexity of this quilt had me itching to do something simpler, something more random and comparatively unstructured ? And I've also been itching to get back to some EPP after seeing the lovely EPP projects that Susan produces so expertly. So I picked up my Grandmothers Garden again. Now these hexagons are l a r g e - an edge of 1 1/4 inch on a hexagon is pretty big as they go!

Here is a reminder picture of the start of this project against the half inch hexagons from the Ann Randoll quilt.

How it looks now - only two garden beds but already 1 metre across (about 40 inches)!

This picture found on an internet search is what first inspired me to start this project. It is a gorgeous antique quilt shown on Quiltville Quips and Snips in 2012. I just love everything about it, the way it is hand quilted in rows, and the colours are pure Spring don't you think?

The next garden bed round prepped ready to paperclip to papers and stitch together.

I've a feeling this could get large quite quickly and threaten to get out of hand. I think I'd prefer to stop at a 'cottage garden' rather than a 'country estate'?!

I've got my gardening clothes on but it was just too frosty to start out there early. Now the sun is shining and there is no wind - should be just right - so off I go. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Your red version of the bride is spectacular! I so enjoyed seeing this quilt come together. I know what you mean about missing the process, I had the same feelings when I finished my CWBQ, it was just a fun quilt to work on. Enjoy your EPP and keep a look out for the next big appliqué project.

Hilda, your CWB is splendid, exquisite, inspiring........so much beautiful work in it. I can totally understand how lost you must feel, as I am searching for that elusive next appliqué project too. Some quality quilting time can fill the void for a while. I like your style of quilting close to the appliquéd shapes and have been applying it to Irish Circles. Your hexies will make a relaxing change to tiny pieces, and I love the way you plan to quilt it.

This is another one of your wonderful posts--chalk full of inspiration and marvelous eye candy. Your new quilt top finish is simply incredible! Congrats to you for making it so personalized and unique.:) I know what you mean about applique withdrawal. It's so funny that we desperately want to get to the end of one project and then immediately miss having the applique to work on! Love the hand quilting on your Ann Randoll. Very special.

Congratulations on a stunning finish Hilda!! I love, love, love the red and white combination and the special touches you have added to make it your own. I too completely understand the Applique withdrawal thing (hand piecing and even quilting don't quite do it) and always try to have some prepped and ready to go. Ann Randoll is going to be spectacular too.

Your CWB is GORGEOUS !!!!I almost feeling sad to going miss your blogs around the CWB.This quilt is a dream to me,maybe one fine day......I gone give it a tryThank You so much for sharing all the pictures and your comments,I`ve learn a lot.

No doubt Hilda, you're the Queen of appliqués ! Your CWB is stunning ! Your Ann Randoll too and the long work of quilting has begun.....As I saw, you are making hexies too (me, I have finished !) But it is so interesting to see your progress with solids ! They are so cute like that !I wish you a lovely day !Hugs !

Wow, I am just loving your version of the Civil War Bride. The bunny and squirrel blocks are perfect and that border is perfection. I was hoping to get back to mine soon but now it just seems so boring in comparison!

The red Civil War Bride is just beautiful! What a wonderful finish--maybe you should move it up in the quilting queue (because I'm dying to see it done)! Love your other projects too--fun to see the small hexie flowers compared to the large--such a difference.

Each time I see your CWB I love it more. Your applique work is so precise and your fabric selection is always perfect along with your individual changes and additions. Thanks for sharing your quilting decision process. It's always interesting to hear what you take into consideration. Sounds like a lot of Quilter's go through withdrawal at the end of a project. Interesting :0)

Your Civil War Bride quilt top is simply beautiful. You have such a good eye for distributing the reds and beiges. Your Anne Randolph quilt is lovely too. I've been following your progress and I think I am going to attempt a small project with clam shells. They intrigue me.

Your Bride quilt is gorgeous. Never would have dreamed a red and white version could be so very striking. So appealing. I am going to be looking for red and white prints for stash. Not for doing the same quilt but something in the future. You have inspired me.

WOW!! Hilda, it's incredibly beautiful! I LOVE your borders with the birds in the corners. It's so graceful and balanced - it's amazing! I know that feeling of missing an applique project :0) just not lately - lol. Your handquilting is lovely as well - I think the squares are a good choice for the seam dense pinwheels.

Your quilts are just beautiful Hilda. I love looking at your work. I love the quilt you had in a post awhile back with old linens you had cut up. You've given me a purpose for the ones I've kept boxed up for years. I'm curious as to what you do with the paper clips on the hexagons. I'm switching between thread basting and gluing, and I'm not sure one is any faster than the other.

Your CWB-quilt has become ultimately gorgeous and amazing in these colors! Really love how she turned out, and also the way you personalized it. I can understand, about the hand-applique ...;) Yur Ann Randoll is going to be more and more beautiful with every stitch!

Congratulations on your Civil War Bride quilt. It is not often in blog world that I see a quilt with this amount of work as so many quilters seem to want everything made instantly. It is a real pleasure to see you doing quilting by hand.

Breathtaking! I have never thought I could do an all red quilt, but you have certainly changed my mind. It is stunning! And, yes I do know what you mean about coming to an end and having no hand applique to do. I have since learned to keep a simple hand applique project on hand for a fill in long term project (very long term!) I like your solution for the half square triangles in the Ann Randoll. It solves the pesky seam allowance problem beautifully. Have fun with those spring hexagons!

Your red version of the Civil War Bride is so gorgeous! I think your adjustments to some of the blocks are great and love the border! Ann Randoll is looking fabulous with your quilting, I so admire you hand quilters. I am always so impressed at how industrious you are, you may have inspired a clean up of my fabric storage (chaos) ! Your latest quilting project looks like it will be really beautiful especially once you add your wonderful hand quilting. Will watch with interest, love the fabric choices you have made! Cheers, Rowena

Your red version of the Civil War Bride is so gorgeous! I think your adjustments to some of the blocks are great and love the border! Ann Randoll is looking fabulous with your quilting, I so admire you hand quilters. I am always so impressed at how industrious you are, you may have inspired a clean up of my fabric storage (chaos) ! Your latest quilting project looks like it will be really beautiful especially once you add your wonderful hand quilting. Will watch with interest, love the fabric choices you have made! Cheers, Rowena

wow, wow, wow. absolutely breathtaking. Congratulations on such a beautiful quilt. Your red quilt has inspired me to try a 'one colour' quilt for my next project. It is so wonderful and I love how you have made it a bit your own with your changes. Your quilting is looking great and your hexie garden is beautiful too. Hope these other projects help ease the withdrawal symptoms you are having.......or.......there is always another applique project to do?

Congratulations Hilda on such a beautiful quilt! Your wonderful fabric choices are such a feast for the eyes and the border is a triumph. I'm sure it won't be long before you find another applique project.

Wow, your CWB is so inspring! I'm starting to look forward to making the borders. My mom and I are working in the pattern from the book a Bountiful Life, but I don't like those borders. These look great! Would you kind of I steal your idea?

Oh Hilda, your Civil War Bride is magnificent! I have so enjoyed watching the progress of your amazing quilt. What a fantastic collection of red and white fabrics. Will we see it in the flesh sometime, maybe at the next Sydney Quilt Show?

There is nothing I can say except to echo what everyone else has said. Your red Civil War Bride is the most beautiful quilt I have seen in quite a while. You have an amazing ability to pick just the right fabric for each little piece. Now you have added hand quilting to the list of things you do very well. Outstanding work.

I love your work! I have been following your red bride quilt and I just LOVE the results! You did such a nice job with the limited color palette. And your Ann Randall quilt looks simply amazing! Thanks for sharing your incredible work!

Cannot believe the beauty that you envisioned and then accomplished with the color red!! Stunning!! Have always said that you Australian ladies are truly adventuresome with your quilts and create spectacular works!!

this Civil War Bride Quilt is breathtaking!! As a total novice at applique--it just takes my breath away--what a beautiful quilt. I am still struggling with making my stitches correctly!! thanks for sharing...you are an inspiration hugs, Julierose

I have just found your wonderful website, such beautiful quilts and inspiration therein. I especially love both the Ann Randoll and Civil War Bride Quilts, I wouldn't mind attempting it in all blues. Can you please tell me what it is thats holding your thread in the box of Grandmothers Garden goodies....thank you